NAFDAC: We didn’t advise Nigerians not to eat bread

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has dissociated itself from a comment asking Nigerians to avoid eating bread.

Roseline Ajayi, NAFDAC south-west coordinator, recently said most bread sold in the markets are failing laboratory tests, noting that some producers were resorting to saccharine due to the high cost of sugar.

“We are not unmindful of the prevailing economic challenges, but the agency will not compromise its standards. It is pertinent to note that the quality and safety of regulated products cannot be compromised,” she said.

After Ajayi’s remarks, a reporter released a video suggesting that Nigerians should completely avoid consuming bread —a claim that quickly gained traction online.

In a statement on Tuesday, Mojisola Adeyeye, NAFDAC director-general, said the content of the video does not reflect the observation of the official.

“At no time during that engagement with stakeholders did NAFDAC suggest that Nigerians should avoid bread baked and sold in Nigeria,” the statement reads.

“NAFDAC dissociates herself from the comment of the reporter in the circulating video about avoiding bread in Nigeria.

“This is the personal statement of the reporter who does not speak for the Agency. NAFDAC wishes to reassure the public that the Agency remains fully alive to her responsibilities of safeguarding the health of the public.

“The Agency is a responsible regulator and does not make general statements capable of causing panic and fear in the population.”

NAFDAC cautioned bakers in the country against using unapproved food additives.

“Any baker found to be using unapproved food additives, in this case, saccharine, is appropriately sanctioned in line with the extant regulatory provisions,” the statement adds.

“The Nigerian Industrial Standard (NIS) does not permit the use of saccharine in bread. This is the same for the Codex General Standard for Food Additives (GSFA), an authoritative reference point for food additives, which also does not permit the use of saccharine in bread.

“Like other food additives, sweeteners usually undergo thorough risk assessments for safety by an Expert Body, the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) before approval for use.”